Temple plant

Overview

Temple plant (Hygrophila corymbosa) is a fast, hardy, large-leaved stem plant that is a staple of beginner planted tanks. It grows tall, upright stems lined with broad, pointed green leaves, quickly filling a background with lush foliage. Because it grows so vigorously and asks for so little, it is excellent for stabilising a new tank — soaking up nutrients that would otherwise feed algae — and for giving fish plenty of cover. It comes in several forms (including ‘Compacta’ and ‘Angustifolia’), but all share the same easy, fast, low-tech nature.

Planting & placement

Temple plant is a stem plant for the background. Plant the stems individually into the substrate a few centimetres apart with tweezers, in a group for a full, hedge-like effect. It grows tall (30–60 cm) and will reach the surface, so keep it behind shorter species and give it room. It roots readily and establishes fast. See how to plant aquarium plants for the technique and aquascaping for beginners for building a background.

Light, CO2 & ferts

Temple plant is low-tech and adaptable. Low to medium light is fine; more light keeps it compact and bushy, while dim light makes the stems stretch and go leggy. It needs no CO2, though CO2 makes it denser and faster. As a fast grower it feeds heavily, so a regular liquid fertilizer dose keeps it lush — see our best plant fertilizer picks. Fast, hungry plants show deficiencies quickly if underfed.

Propagation & problems

Propagation is easy: trim and replant. Cut a healthy top and push the cutting into the substrate, where it roots within days; the cut parent branches below into a bushier stem. You will do this often. The typical problems are legginess and bare lower stems from shading or weak light, and yellowing leaves from nutrient shortage — trimming, adequate light and a complete fertilizer fix all three. Treated as the fast, hungry background plant it is, temple plant is one of the most reliable green fillers in the hobby.